Community News - Macmillan Online Community

What I wish I had known about chemotherapy: stories from Macmillan’s forums

Our new blog mini-series asks 'What do you wish you had known? ’ about cancer treatment before you had started it. People in the Macmillan Online Community are sharing experiences and tips about their cancer treatment and situations. This blog focuses on chemotherapy. Online Community members tell us that hearing about other people’s experiences of treatment can make a big difference to them. Especially when they’re feeling unsure about what to expect. Visit the chemotherapy forum , where members talk about what they wish they’d known before starting treatment. Everyone’s experience of chemotherapy is different “Some great advice here, I think that the key thing is that our experience of cancer is going to be different, and therefore our experience of chemo will also be. There are some…

Dylan - Online Community Team
What do you wish you had known before diagnosis? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. The blogs feature different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of diagnosis. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. If you are facing a cancer diagnosis we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need. Everyone’s diagnosis journey is different – but some advice helps us all "I'm glad I got advice here about making lots of notes and asking lots of questions. It's helped me feel in control." - Community member, Prostate cancer forum “Things will get easier when you know what you’re dealing with and what your treatment…

Steph - Online Community Team
“It is a juggling act being a cancer patient and a parent.” – Priyanka’s story

Priyanka was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 36 in 2022. Priyanka lives in Aylesbury, with her husband, Manoj and two daughters, Keya and Shriyana who were 4 years old and 2 years old at the time of the diagnosis. Priyanka is a qualified teacher. Since, being diagnosed with cancer, she has gone on to become a life coach for children, supporting them through life’s challenges. Also, a published author, Priyanka has penned a heartfelt children’s book, When Mummy Had Cancer. Priyanka’s story Your world falls apart when you hear the words, you have cancer. Mine did too! You automatically think it’s a death sentence. When you have two young children, it’s terrifying. My first reaction was, what will happen to my girls? I want to be there to see them grow up. Experience…

Megan- Online Community Team
Local Cancer Community Meet-ups - New Dates, More Locations!

Macmillan's 'Cancer Community Meet-ups' program has been extended. This time, we don't just have new dates... we also have more locations! Are you in Birmingham, Bradford , Preston, Rochester, Washington, or Watford ? Do you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer? If so, we're delighted to announce even more opportunities to make new friends. These in-person events intend to build supportive communities of people local to the areas they're hosted in. To avoid confusing them with our Online Community, we refer to these events as 'Local Cancer Community Meet-ups' in this blog. If you would like to discuss attending this event with other members of the Online Community, please don't forget that our Community Guidelines still apply. The Private Messaging system is…

Dylan - Online Community Team
What do you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips around different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of radiotherapy. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. Whether you are starting radiotherapy treatment yourself, or supporting someone having radiotherapy, we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need . Radiotherapy hints and tips for all In the Radiotherapy forum , we asked the Community for their guidance in a recent thread ' What you wish you had known before starting radiotherapy ? ' Some of the advice provided could be relevant to anyone facing any type…

Steph - Online Community Team
Community this or that quiz- Coffee morning

We want to bring our Online Community together to connect and have some light hearted fun during September, as it is the hallmark month for Macmillan’s World’s biggest coffee morning. Find the coffee morning this or that quiz in this blog. Last week, we posted the Bringing the Community Together blog, where details of why Macmillan's world's biggest coffee morning is important and how the Community has supported people affected by cancer over the years. Read the ‘ Bringing the Community together- Virtual coffee morning ’ blog here. Virtual coffee morning This year is the 35th year anniversary of the World’s biggest coffee morning, which continues to make a difference to support everyone affected by cancer. The Online Community’s virtual Coffee morning brings our members together to…

Megan- Online Community Team
Bringing the Community together - virtual coffee morning

September is the hallmark month for Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. This year is the 35th year anniversary of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning which continues to make a difference to support everyone affected by cancer. 35 years of coming together to raise vital funds so Macmillan can be there to support people when they need us the most. It’s also 35 years of bringing people together to talk about cancer. Whilst coffee mornings are a great way to fundraise, it’s also a good opportunity to raise awareness and share personal cancer experiences. The Online Community brings the cancer community together every day. Our forums provide peer to peer support all day and all night helping you navigate the emotional and practical challenges cancer can bring. "Thank you to everyone…

Megan- Online Community Team
Approaching Autumn - Celebrating the Online Community Seasonal Picture Festivals

Image: a collage of photos from Community Members - 'W ith a peaceful theme' As we approach Autumn, we are launching a new Picture Festival thread whilst taking some time to look back on the Spring and Summer pictures members have contributed in 2025. We asked members of our Express Yourself forum to share pictures of their Spring and Summer. This could include pictures of nature, art and crafts, pets or more. A big thank you to everyone who shared their images this year. We know that it can bring many of you joy to share and see pictures of nature here on the Community. Can you see your image shared in the blog? As the nights draw in and the weather is changing, images from Spring and Summer might help us all feel a little brighter. We are also looking forward to the changing colours…

Steph - Online Community Team
Private Messaging Update

Good morning everyone. We just wanted to let you know that our private messaging function is up and running again. We know how important this area is to our members. Not only as a way of keeping in touch privately with your friends, but also as a method of contacting our team for support. We are so sorry for the inconvenience and would like to thank you for your patience. There is some useful step by step guidance and short tutorial videos in our Help Pages to help you send private messages. As always, our team is available to support you via private messaging the Moderator account or via email community@macmillan.org.uk . Please do not hesitate to get in touch. Best wishes Rebecca, Meg, Matt, Dylan, Steph, David, and Syed Online Community Team.

Moderator - Macmillan Community
Cancer, self-advocacy and pre-existing health conditions on the Online Community

Our forum members share experiences of self-advocacy, pre-existing health conditions and variations in cancer care. Self-advocacy means speaking up, asking questions, and making informed decisions, whatever stage you're at. Managing your own healthcare can be even more difficult if you have other health conditions as well as cancer. And there are unacceptable variations in cancer care across the UK. This means not everyone gets the same experience, depending on who they are and where they live. Learn how Online Community members navigate these issues. “I have inflammatory breast cancer and was told the only options was non skin sparing mastectomy with a year long wait for reconstruction, after being referred to another hospital despite being told by the previous hospital I couldn't have…

Steph - Online Community Team
Meet Mr U - self advocating through cancer treatment with a pre-existing heart condition

Image by Mr U - The famous 'Mr Vicious' who features throughout Mr U's blog Community member Mr U was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2022. He also has a pre-existing heart condition, making treatment more complicated. In his Online Community blog ‘ To hop-on or hop-off is the question? ’ Mr U has shared his story of self-advocacy through treatment and pushing for better outcomes. Self-advocacy means actively speaking up, asking questions, and making informed decisions about treatment. Dealing with different hospital departments and trusts, whilst trying to remain positive isn’t easy. Mr U shares how he has coped, whilst staying strong for his wife 'My Darling' and family. “Where do I even start to explain the everyday pain of self-advocacy?" Today I’ve written around…

Steph - Online Community Team
Ethnic minority cancer awareness on the Online Community

As part of Ethnic minority cancer awareness month, we are sharing the lived experiences of ethnic minority communities posted in our forums and blogs, alongside sharing support resources. Here on the Online Community, all our forums are intended as a safe place for you to talk anonymously about your emotions and experiences with other people who may be going through a similar situation. We realise that sometimes a person’s identity can impact their personal cancer journey. This could be because they have experienced racial health inequalities, breakdown in relationships and family dynamics, religious and cultural challenges, stigmas with their gender, and so much more. There may be stigmas linked to a cancer diagnosis, which can result in isolation and loneliness. We want our Online Community…

Megan- Online Community Team